Family situations--each one unique--undoubtedly influence a child's approach to homework and learning. Parents can help children develop good working habits. Please show your child that homework is an important priority and you value its worth.

1. Sit down with your child and together schedule a time for completing homework assignments. Homework habits are more easily formed if children work the same time each day.

2. Help your child choose an appropriate study location--a quiet corner, a desk, a comfortable chair. The location should suit the assignment--use a desk or table for written work. Provide good lighting and necessary materials.

3. Ask your child to describe the assignment before beginning, and later show you the completed work or summarize what has been learned.

4. Encourage your child to work on his or her own. If your child needs help, look over the material before you begin so you are familiar with the assignment.

5. Be a resource and consultant for your child, but don't hover or provide constant advice. Sometimes the best help is a hug, a smile, or a word of approval.

6. If your child becomes frustrated, put the assignment away for a while.

7. Please be available to check work and check whether the assignment has been completed. Many teachers ask that parents sign or initial their child's agenda once homework has been completed.

8. Praise your child for completing homework.

9. When possible, help your child relate homework assignments to everyday life and skills.

10. In general, be supportive and encouraging. Your attitudes are contagious.

The ABC's Of Homework Management:

Here's an easy way to remember some homework wisdom!

A:Stands for "All By Myself"

The child does homework in a private, personal place, rather than in a public, family place (e.g. kitchen table). This defines homework as the child's responsibility and helps parents resist the urge to hover.

B:Stands for "Back Off"

You, the parents, stay out of the child's homework unless the child asks you to get involved. Limit your involvement to:

- clarifying or reinterpreting directions

- demonstrating or giving examples of a particular procedure;

- reviewing or checking work for accuracy, clarity, and adequacy.

Help should be brief and encouraging. Parent involvement should rarely last longer than 15 minutes, the norm being closer to 5. If it looks like 15 minutes isn't going to do it, then the parents should consider referring the problem back to the child's teacher, yes, even if that means the child might not complete the work on time.

C:Stands for "Call It Quits At a Reasonable Hour"

Set an upper limit on homework. In most instances, the child should be responsible for deciding when to begin, but parents should decide when to call "time" by setting an upper limit. This will force a child to plan ahead, set priorities, and estimate how long it will take to complete the homework. Most people will work to a deadline, and this procedure will create a sense of urgency around homework.